Jean Christensen was an American model and WWE Public Relations Representative best known as the Andre the Giant wife. Born in 1949 in Minnesota, United States, she started her career in the early 1970s, building a remarkable 1970s modeling career that later led her into the wrestling world. In WWE, she became a respected female WWE staff member, managing media handling and WWE events with professionalism and poise.
Beyond her career, she was the devoted mother of Robin Christensen-Roussimoff, balancing family life with her work behind the scenes. Her story reflects strength, dedication, and a quiet but lasting wrestling legacy that continues to inspire fans and professionals alike.
Quick Biography of Jean Christensen
Jean Christensen was born 1949 in Minnesota, United States, into a family of Danish descent. She grew up with strong cultural values, discipline, and independence. Standing tall with her height and striking presence, she naturally drew attention. Her early life helped shape her confidence and professionalism, which later defined her career in modeling and the wrestling industry.
She later became known as the Andre the Giant wife and mother to Robin Christensen-Roussimoff (daughter born 1979). She worked as a WWE Public Relations Representative, contributing to media and public relations in wrestling. Despite a long-term relationship with one of the wrestling legends Andre, she maintained a private life that few fans truly knew about.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jean Christensen |
| Birth Date | 1949 |
| Birthplace | Minnesota, United States |
| Death | Jean Christensen death 2008 |
| Age at Death | 59 years |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Danish descent (Jean) |
| Height | 6 feet 4 inches |
| Profession | Model, WWE Public Relations Representative |
| Famous For | Relationship with Andre the Giant / André René Roussimoff and WWE PR |
| Partner | Andre the Giant / André René Roussimoff |
| Daughter | Robin Christensen-Roussimoff |
| Net Worth | ~$100,000 |
| Legacy | Female pioneer in wrestling, mother, and professional behind-the-scenes influence |
Early Life and Background
Jean Christensen was born in a modest home in Minnesota, United States. Her family emphasized hard work, respect, and independence, values rooted in her Danish-American heritage. As a young girl, her height and elegance set her apart, giving her confidence and poise that would guide her professional choices later.
During the 1960s and 1970s, American society was changing rapidly. Women were taking on new roles in media, fashion, and business. This environment encouraged Jean Christensen to explore opportunities in modeling and public relations. Her upbringing and early experiences built the foundation for a career defined by professionalism, discipline, and privacy and personal strength.
Modeling and Career Beginnings
In the early 1970s, Jean Christensen launched her 1970s modeling career. She worked in fashion shows, photo shoots, and commercial modeling. Her height, elegance, and presence made her stand out among her peers. Modeling helped her learn communication skills, public appearances, and media handling techniques that would later be crucial in wrestling.
Her success in modeling opened doors to the wrestling industry career. With her confidence and professionalism, she transitioned to working as a behind-the-scenes professional in WWE. Her early career prepared her to manage WWE events, coordinate media handling, and support wrestlers in professional wrestling PR, all while staying out of the spotlight.
Meeting André the Giant
Jean Christensen met Andre the Giant / André René Roussimoff in the early 1970s while working in wrestling media and public relations. Their initial meeting was professional, but it soon grew into a strong friendship. Over time, admiration and affection developed between them. Despite their physical differences, Jean Christensen and Andre the Giant connected emotionally and professionally.
Andre was already gaining fame as a wrestling legend, standing over seven feet tall and weighing more than 500 pounds due to acromegaly. Jean Christensen admired his gentle nature, while he valued her intelligence and independence. Their relationship became a defining part of both their lives and remains a memorable story in wrestling history.
Relationship and Family Life
Romantic Partnership and Companionship
Jean Christensen and Andre the Giant shared a long-term relationship built on trust, friendship, and support. Though never legally married, they lived as a committed couple. Jean balanced the demands of Andre the Giant’s international fame while maintaining her own professional career. Their bond became well-known among wrestling fans, though Jean Christensen largely stayed out of the public eye.
Daughter Robin Christensen-Roussimoff
In 1979, Jean Christensen gave birth to Robin Christensen-Roussimoff (daughter born 1979). Initially, Andre did not publicly acknowledge paternity, leading to legal proceedings. Afterward, he supported Robin financially. Jean Christensen raised her daughter with love, stability, and independence. Today, Robin Christensen-Roussimoff honors her parents’ legacy through wrestling documentaries (HBO: Andre the Giant) and managing her father’s image.
Family Challenges and Public Attention
Life with Andre the Giant / André René Roussimoff was not easy. His acromegaly made daily life physically challenging, and constant travel caused emotional distance. Public curiosity and legal matters around Robin added stress. Despite these family challenges, Jean Christensen handled everything with dignity, safeguarding her private life while nurturing a stable home for Robin.
Professional Life in Wrestling and WWE
Jean Christensen became a respected female WWE staff member, working as a WWE Public Relations Representative. She managed media handling, coordinated WWE events, and ensured positive press coverage for wrestlers. Her experience in modeling helped her excel in public appearances and wrestling public image management.
At a time when few women worked behind the scenes in wrestling, Jean Christensen stood out as a female pioneer in male-dominated industry. She built relationships with wrestlers, fans, and journalists, contributing to the growth of WWE as a global entertainment phenomenon. Her professional achievements continue to inspire women in the wrestling world today.
Life After André the Giant
After Andre the Giant death 1993, Jean Christensen focused on raising Robin Christensen-Roussimoff. She chose to live a quiet, private life, away from the wrestling spotlight. She remained respected within the wrestling community for her discretion, professionalism, and privacy and personal strength.
Even in later years, she maintained her composure and dedication to family. Jean Christensen taught Robin the same values she lived by: resilience, dignity, and discretion. Her post-Andre life reflects how personal strength and quiet dedication can shape a lasting legacy.
Personality, Privacy, and Public Image
Jean Christensen was admired for her grace, professionalism, and resilience. She avoided media attention, choosing to work behind the scenes while managing media and public relations in wrestling. Her ability to maintain privacy made her story intriguing for wrestling fans, yet few knew her personally.
She was known as a strong and independent mother, a reliable partner, and a thoughtful professional. Jean Christensen’s private life demonstrated how one could balance fame, career, and personal values without sacrificing dignity. Her presence in the WWE world helped establish the image of women as competent and professional behind-the-scenes professionals.
Net Worth and Legacy
At the time of Jean Christensen death 2008, her net worth was estimated at around $100,000. While modest financially, her wrestling legacy and professional influence were immense. She helped shape the wrestling public image of stars like Andre the Giant and worked tirelessly on WWE events and wrestling media management.
Her role as a female pioneer in wrestling inspired other women to enter the industry. Through her daughter Robin Christensen-Roussimoff and countless wrestling documentaries, her contributions continue to influence wrestling fans and legacy worldwide.
Later Life and Remembrance
Jean Christensen passed away in 2008 at age 59. She left behind a story of strength, grace, and dedication to family and career. The wrestling world remembers her not just as the Andre the Giant wife, but as a behind-the-scenes professional, female WWE staff, and a quiet force in shaping wrestling media.
Her memory lives on in wrestling documentaries, fan tributes, and the legacy of Robin Christensen-Roussimoff. Jean Christensen’s life remains a testament to professionalism, resilience, and the power of maintaining privacy and dignity in a public world.
Conclusion
Jean Christensen was more than just the Andre the Giant wife. She was a model, a WWE Public Relations Representative, a devoted mother, and a female pioneer in male-dominated industry. Her life combined elegance, professionalism, and privacy and personal strength, making her a respected figure in wrestling history. From her early 1970s modeling career to managing WWE events and media handling behind the scenes, she left a lasting impact on the wrestling industry career of women.
Even after Andre the Giant death 1993, Jean Christensen raised Robin Christensen-Roussimoff with love and stability, showing resilience through family challenges and public curiosity. Her legacy continues in wrestling documentaries, fan admiration, and the ongoing preservation of Andre the Giant family life. Jean Christensen’s story reminds us that quiet strength, dedication, and professionalism can create a lasting wrestling legacy that goes far beyond the spotlight.